Moore: Fla. grads in need of pro-growth reform

A great thing about my job is I spend time working with Florida’s higher education institutions. Our colleges and universities are valuable state assets; critical to the production of knowledge and innovation that creates graduates and spurs economic vitality.

Florida has an excellent balance of both private and public institutions working in service for the people of Florida. Higher education is the springboard for so many Floridians to opportunity and success, but unfortunately, graduates today are faced with fewer opportunities for employment. Although Florida’s economy has steadily been improving, our national economic recovery just hasn’t responded as quickly as needed for many new graduates. In large part this makes retaining our Florida graduates even easier as well as the chance to become a magnet for other states’ graduates.

To maintain the momentum we have seen recently in Florida, we need Washington to act by implementing the kinds of fiscal restraints and economic growth policies we have seen in Florida over the past two decades. Congress needs to enact a positive, pro-growth reform agenda that will expand the national economy and help the private markets create jobs for the next generation of workers and entrepreneurs.

Many reforms in D.C. are necessary to stimulate the kind of growth our graduates need. One of Congress’ biggest priorities should be reforming our fiercely complicated tax system. Small business growth and expansion is a critical component of the economy and year after year this sector comprises our biggest job creators. Those smaller engines of growth are being hammered by federal business taxes — the highest taxes of their kind in the industrialized world.

Larger corporations are also hit with a tax burden of 35 percent — compare this to our large trading partners like Canada at 26.5 percent, Mexico at 30 percent, and China and Brazil at 25 percent.

Business owners need comprehensive tax reform that both lowers the rate and simplifies the code. By doing so, lawmakers could significantly increase the level of financial resources companies have to reinvest in their business and communities. More money in the pockets of small business owners means more money to use for expansion and job growth — providing our next generation of workers with more opportunities for employment.

Few things in life are more rewarding and long lasting than earning your degree and getting your first real job out of college. We need to take steps to make this a reality for every student who seeks to climb the ladder of economic success. It is time for Congress to refocus on economic growth and job creation.